Bounds on higher-order Lorentz-violating photon sector coefficients from an asymmetric optical ring resonator experiment

Optical resonators provide a powerful tool for testing aspects of Lorentz invariance. Here, we present a reanalysis of an experiment where a path asymmetry was created in an optical ring resonator by introducing a dielectric prism in one arm. The frequency difference of the two fundamental counter-propagating modes was then recorded as the apparatus was orientation-modulated in the laboratory. By assuming that the minimal Standard-Model Extension coefficients vanish we are able to place bounds on higher-order parity-odd Lorentz-violating coefficients of the Standard-Model Extension. The results presented in this work set the first constraints on two previously unbounded linear combinations of d=8 parity-odd nonbirefringent nondispersive coefficients of the photon sector.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in Physics Letters

Feminizing effects of ethinylestradiol in roach (Rutilus rutilus) populations with different estrogenic pollution exposure histories

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this record. Experimental exposures aimed at assessing the risks posed by estrogens in waste-water treatment work (WwTW) effluents to fish populations have rarely considered whether populations differ in their sensitivity to estrogenic compounds. This is despite evidence that selection at genes involved in the estrogen response has occurred in wild populations, and evidence that genotype can influence estrogen-response. In this study we compare the effects of a two-year exposure to a low measured concentration (1.3 ng/L) of ethinylestradiol (EE2) on the sexual development of roach (Rutilus rutilus) whose parental generation was sampled from two river stretches heavily contaminated with WwTW effluent and from two without any known WwTW effluent contamination. Exposure to EE2 significantly reduced the proportion of genetic males and induced a range of feminized phenotypes in males. Significantly, exposure also increased the proportion of genetic females with vitellogenic oocytes from 51 to 96%, raising the possibility that estrogen pollution could impact populations of annually spawning fish species through advancing female reproduction by at least a year. However, there was no evidence that river origin affected sensitivity to estrogens in either sex. Thus, we conclude that chronic exposure to low level EE2 has reproductive health outcomes for both male and female roach, but we find no evidence that the nature or magnitude of the response is affected by the population origin.Natural Environment Research Counci

Feminizing Effects of Ethinylestradiol in Roach (Rutilus rutilus) Populations with Different Estrogenic Pollution Exposure Histories

Appendix. Supplementary materials: Download all supplementary files included with this article: Download Word document (https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0166445X22001552-mmc1.docx 277KB); Download spreadsheet (https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0166445X22001552-mmc2.xlsx 43KB).Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Experimental exposures aimed at assessing the risks posed by estrogens in waste-water treatment work (WwTW) effluents to fish populations have rarely considered whether populations differ in their sensitivity to estrogenic compounds. This is despite evidence that selection at genes involved in the estrogen response has occurred in wild populations, and evidence that genotype can influence estrogen-response. In this study we compare the effects of a two-year exposure to a low measured concentration (1.3 ng/L) of ethinylestradiol (EE2) on the sexual development of roach (Rutilus rutilus) whose parental generation was sampled from two river stretches heavily contaminated with WwTW effluent and from two without any known WwTW effluent contamination. Exposure to EE2 significantly reduced the proportion of genetic males and induced a range of feminized phenotypes in males. Significantly, exposure also increased the proportion of genetic females with vitellogenic oocytes from 51 to 96%, raising the possibility that estrogen pollution could impact populations of annually spawning fish species through advancing female reproduction by at least a year. However, there was no evidence that river origin affected sensitivity to estrogens in either sex. Thus, we conclude that chronic exposure to low level EE2 has reproductive health outcomes for both male and female roach, but we find no evidence that the nature or magnitude of the response is affected by the population origin.UK Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC; NE/K004263/1)

No Pixel Left Behind: Interactively Visualizing ''Everything'' from NASA's Earth Observations

The problem: satellite swath overlaps. Polar orbiting satellites like Terra, Aqua, and the joint NASA/NOAA Suomi-NPP satellite circle the globe from pole to pole, collecting data daily, swath by swath. Having this density of data is great for building a comprehensive mosaic of the planet, but sometimes there is something interesting occurring in one swath but is covered by a subsequent swath when the satellite passes over 90 minutes later. With our new prototype based on Worldview and the Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS), we combine the best of both worlds to interactively visualize the entire globe as a mosaic and allow the user to _peel away the overlaps_ to see every pixel that was observed by the satellite. This ability to look at every pixel - and to know when they were captured - is especially important near the poles where swath overlaps are most common

Detection of autoantibodies against reactive oxygen species modified glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 in type 1 diabetes associated complications

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Autoantibodies against glutamate decarboxylase-65 (GAD₆₅Abs) are thought to be a major immunological tool involved in pathogenic autoimmunity development in various diseases. GAD₆₅Abs are a sensitive and specific marker for type 1 diabetes (T1D). These autoantibodies can also be found in 6-10% of patients classified with type 2 diabetes (T2D), as well as in 1-2% of the healthy population. The latter individuals are at low risk of developing T1D because the prevalence rate of GAD₆₅Abs is only about 0.3%. It has, therefore, been suggested that the antibody binding to GAD₆₅in these three different GAD₆₅Ab-positive phenotypes differ with respect to epitope specificity. The specificity of reactive oxygen species modified GAD₆₅(ROS-GAD₆₅) is already well established in the T1D. However, its association in secondary complications of T1D has not yet been ascertained. Hence this study focuses on identification of autoantibodies against ROS-GAD₆₅(ROS-GAD₆₅Abs) and quantitative assays in T1D associated complications.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From the cohort of samples, serum autoantibodies from T1D retinopathic and nephropathic patients showed high recognition of ROS-GAD₆₅as compared to native GAD₆₅(N-GAD₆₅). Uncomplicated T1D subjects also exhibited reactivity towards ROS-GAD₆₅. However, this was found to be less as compared to the binding recorded from complicated subjects. These results were further proven by competitive ELISA estimations. The apparent association constants (AAC) indicate greater affinity of IgG from retinopathic T1D patients (1.90 × 10^-6M) followed by nephropathic (1.81 × 10^-6M) and uncomplicated (3.11 × 10^-7M) T1D patients for ROS-GAD₆₅compared to N-GAD₆₅.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Increased oxidative stress and blood glucose levels with extended duration of disease in complicated T1D could be responsible for the gradual formation and/or exposing cryptic epitopes on GAD₆₅that induce increased production of ROS-GAD₆₅Abs. Hence regulation of ROS-GAD₆₅Abs could offer novel tools for analysing and possibly treating T1D complications.</p

Fine-mapping identifies multiple prostate cancer risk loci at 5p15, one of which associates with TERT expression

Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 5p15 and multiple cancer types have been reported. We have previously shown evidence for a strong association between prostate cancer (PrCa) risk and rs2242652 at 5p15, intronic in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene that encodes TERT. To comprehensively evaluate the association between genetic variation across this region and PrCa, we performed a fine-mapping analysis by genotyping 134 SNPs using a custom Illumina iSelect array or Sequenom MassArray iPlex, followed by imputation of 1094 SNPs in 22 301 PrCa cases and 22 320 controls in The PRACTICAL consortium. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis identified four signals in the promoter or intronic regions of TERT that independently associated with PrCa risk. Gene expression analysis of normal prostate tissue showed evidence that SNPs within one of these regions also associated with TERT expression, providing a potential mechanism for predisposition to disease

Role of Condom Negotiation on Condom use among Women of Reproductive Age in three Districts in Tanzania.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS remains being a disease of great public health concern worldwide. In regions such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where women are disproportionately infected with HIV, women are reportedly less likely capable of negotiating condom use. However, while knowledge of condom use for HIV prevention is extensive among men and women in many countries including Tanzania, evidence is limited about the role of condom negotiation on condom use among women in rural Tanzania. METHODS: Data originate from a cross-sectional survey of random households conducted in 2011 in Rufiji, Kilombero and Ulanga districts in Tanzania. The survey assessed health-seeking behaviour among women and children using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. A total of 2,614 women who were sexually experienced and aged 15--49 years were extracted from the main database for the current analysis. Linkage between condom negotiation and condom use at the last sexual intercourse was assessed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Prevalence of condom use at the last sexual intercourse was 22.2% overall, ranging from12.2% among married women to 54.9% among unmarried (single) women. Majority of the women (73.4%) reported being confident to negotiate condom use, and these women were significantly more likely than those who were not confident to have used a condom at the last sexual intercourse (OR = 3.13, 95% CI 2.22-4.41). This effect was controlled for marital status, age, education, religion, number of sexual partners, household wealth and knowledge of HIV prevention by condom use. CONCLUSION: Confidence to negotiate condom use is a significant predictor of actual condom use among women in rural Tanzania. Women especially unmarried ones or those in multiple partnerships should be empowered with condom negotiation skills to enhance their sexual and reproductive health outcomes